Hi
Well could Advent get any more exciting? I've just opened day four
on my 'Swizzels' not very religious Advent Calendar and demolished in no time
at all the offering of a small packet of Parma Violets. Not to be confused of course with
the upmarket deli meat sold in Lidl and other posh supermarkets. Of course, Parma violets are a sweet 'tablet' not too dissimilar
to a 'Rennie' or a 'Paracetamol', all a moderate life enhancer only distinguished with taste a little like a Baylis
and Harding bath bomb, that catches one's tongue on a rare pamper night off
from ministry in the Eastest parts of East Lancashire.
Parma Violets
The closest connection I can make from the tiny piece of
confectionary is that it is purple just like the colour that represents this
run up to Santa coming down the chimney. Other than that, I can make no
connection at all, even less so with a 'banana skid' or sugar infested 'drumstick' of
the edible stick, lolly variety. Our house is now awash with all things Christmas. We have
extension leads attached to extension leads attached to extension leads, as we
endeavour to illuminate every crevice on the vicarage to entertain the passing
traffic in the run up to Christmas. We have yankee candles that whiff of
Christmas puddings and Brussel sprouts, we have the obligatory 'snowman' snow
globe, a Santa that’s flies across the roof, a tree that is more artificial
than Katie Price’s breast enlargement and an Amazon Echo that has Fairy Tale of
New York on constant repeat. We have a packet of 'Bernard Matthew's' sliced Turkey breast in the fridge and we have a sparkly natvity scene in the hall.
Isn't Advent wonderful?
A Yankee Candle
I suppose when I compare it to the best part of twenty years
working in the retail sector, I can say with a reasonable confidence that no matter
how busy things get as a Vicar, it's never quite an 'Argos Christmas'. Oh, how
I miss being insulted by members of the general public because a Tamagotchi in
pink is no longer available four minutes before we close the doors on Christmas
Eve. How I miss drunken humans of the male variety asking me, 'What might their 'Mrs'
like for Christmas'? or How it's my responsibility that even at Christmas, miracles haven't extended to the 'Vax' vacuum cleaner
doesn't washing its own filters or removing cheese from the flexible extension
hose. Isn’t Advent wonderful?
Vax filters
To help me this year I have bought a book about Advent, all I need to
do now is work out what the big words mean, but as a simple man I was strangely
drawn by the front cover. As soon I realised there was no 'colouring in' to
enjoy I set about reading the daily reflections to help me arrive at
Advent spiritually intact and full of hope and joy. Well it's only day four as I alluded to a little
earlier in my hilarious reflection about advent calendars, but as it goes it is
quite a nice book. It not too heavy or pious (a bit like a priest I know) and
it is beginning to form a bit of a simple thread. And that thread is all about
love, love coming down at Christmas, through the gift of the little baby boy
born in a stable on Christmas Morning. Incidentally if you are not familiar
with the nativity story, you can find a wonderful episode of Michael Crawford’s,
'Some Mother Do have Em' from the late 1970's that explains it exceptionally
well and in brief but glorious and great detail.
Michael Crawford (aka Frank Spencer)
And I suppose I simply want to encourage you to express that love
to one another throughout the rest of Advent.
In,
1. The Supermarket when you are squabbling over 'free range' or 'caged eggs', eggs.
2. The car Park when your spouse can’t reach the ticket
machine.
3. The department store lift, when you simply can't depart level
six no matter which button you press.
4. The Christmas market que for the very reasonably priced glass
of Mulled Wine.
5. The generosity you afford you neighbour in the battle over the
3 for 2 deals in Boots the chemist.
So it's important to stay cool this Advent, maybe listen to 'Johnny Mathis sings Christmas' or perhaps, watch a great Christmas movie like, 'Flubber' or 'An American Werewolf in London' maybe knit a jumper or go sledging in a field without cattle. Maybe get a dog and walk it around the house, or purchase a kitten from Aldi. Maybe go Carol singing with some people of the opposite sex, maybe build a snowman in Farmfoods, just do something pleasant in the name of love this Advent!
No, for sure Advent is an interesting time, none more so than randomly
wearing the colour 'salmon' in church on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, but please,
whatever you do, be kind, give thanks, and share the love of our most beautiful
gift we could ever receive this Christmas,
the gift of Jesus Christ.
till next,
much love,
Fr Alex
